New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-17
TINE U,OpE RFFORE rs.

Il is clear that the question Of restricting the
liouor traffic will be one Of the first to engage
the attention Of the Legislature. The Rcpub-
lican party will not surrender IFS attitude on
this subject at the dictaiion Of the worst class
of Iiouor-dcalcrs who have just carried this
State for ticket headed by a brewer. The
feeling of the party as shown in the press seems
10 be practically unanimous that the contest
must be renewed Immediately upon the opening
of the Legislature. and be pressed forward to
successful conclusion. Bills arc now in course
of preparation which will no doubt be offered
promptly at the beginning OF the session; and,
seeing that there is good Republican majority
in both houses it wilt probably not be many
months before Governor Hill will be again
forced TO take his choice between displcasng
his friends the liquor dealers and alternating
the moral sentiment OF the State. Meantime
The aid Of any agency which Will tend to arouse
the voters to "A sense Of the significance and
importance Of this issue is more than welcome.
The convention Of the Republican State Tenn
pcrancc League. which meets at Syracuse on
the 18th of December, promises to be a large
and influential gathering Of men who arc earnest
in this cause. and It's proceedings will be
watched with interest. Those who believe that
Ibis question must be dealt with in a practical
way. and who feel that their presence might
be Of value would do well to attend or ut the
most to send words Of encouragement. The
action Of such body may easily have an i'm
portant influence upon the Legislature.
The system of restrictive taxation
and local option has met with such
bl liant success wherever it has been
tried that one might wonder at GOV
crnor Hills tcmcrity in opposing the sentiment
ia its favor. if it were not for the oycrwhcIm-
ng power Of the Iquor-dcalcrs in the councils
OF the Democratic party. Governor Hi. know
ing how important their aid is. doubtless felt
that he could 90 TO almost any lengths. rather
than run the risk Of losing 1t. Care should be
taken now to send hIm laws in which not even
hc, as the liquor-dcalcIN' attorney. will be ahic
10 pick flaws, and. in the meantime 10 arouse
such a public opinion in their favor that he viii
not dare to fly in is face. The convention of
the State Temperance League may render in
porant aid in this latter branch Of The work.
If the restrictive taxation system
is once adopted 1t viii stay. y sy stem that
not only reduces the number Of the saloons
clearing out the worst Of tacm, but greatly
Increases the public revenues, thus
diminishing general taxation. Is system
that need, only to be tried to become firmly
popular. Every man who secs the dcmoraliza-
tion resulting from the liquor traffic viii learn
to like it whcthcr he approved it at first or not
Every taxpayer would Ike policy which re-
duccs his taxes. Every rcnipaycr would hike
system which, after time. II not Immediately,
viii reduce his rcniS. Even the better class Of
liquor dealers like it.. II is not probable. for
example. that any proposition To repeal tho
Illinois law which pays the expenses 81 the
public school, IN Chicago would be popular IN
that city. With law like this placed upon
The statute books through ITS efforts. the Re
publican party could appeal to the people with
pIIdc and confidence.